Supreme Court said that it cannot interfere in the diplomatic process nor can it direct another country to not auction the diamond.

The Supreme Court today disposed off petitions which sought direction to the Centre to bring back the Kohinoor diamond from UK saying the court cannot do much in this issue.

Supreme Court said that it cannot interfere in the diplomatic process nor can it direct another country to not auction the diamond.

A court here cannot pass a direction with regard to auctioning of a property, which is outside India, said the SC.

The apex court said that the government is exploring ways and taking diplomatic measures to get back the $200 million dollar diamond.

In July 2016, PM Narendra Modi had called a high-level meeting instructing his government to ensure the return of the medieval artefact, now set in a crown which is on display in the Tower of London.

In April 2016, the government had told the Supreme Court that the diamond was neither "forcibly taken nor stolen" by the British, but given as a "gift" to the East India Company by the rulers of Punjab.

Citing a 44-year-old law, the Centre said the diamond cannot be reclaimed as it was given as a gift in 1849 by the successors of Maharaja Ranjith Singh, and not stolen or forcibly taken away from India.

The government, however, reiterated its resolve to "make all possible efforts" to bring back the Kohinoor diamond from the UK in an amicable manner.

Kohinoor, which means the Mountain of Light, is a large, colourless diamond that was found in South India's Golconda mines in early 14th century. The 108-carat gem is the subject of a historic ownership dispute and is claimed by at least four countries including India.